Bigger ideas for 5 yr old boy

[Ellieray]

I have 3 dcs.

My youngest is getting a play kitchen from Father Christmas.
Middle is getting a doll care centre.
So both quite big presents in terms of size, DS is 5 and doesn't really know what he wants to ask for but I would like something that's a similar size/ type of present so that it seems like Father Christmas has been fair.

He's too young to think about cost of present and will just notice the size I'm sure!

Any ideas for w 5 yr old boy?

Scalextric
Large marble run
multi story garage

does he have a bike and scooter? a football goal? dinosaur playmat and dinosaurs? (you could set it up for him on the floor to make it clear its his big present, and include some cars too)

Also Imaginext do some large play sets if he's into superheroes? Ds got this or something very similar at about that age www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/action-figures-and-playsets/batman/imaginext-dc-super-friends-transforming-batcave-playset/p/144748

What about a go kart for the garden?

Similar issue with our just turned five year old. Thinking about the Lego city firestation. The only other present he has asked for is a Dyson vacuum to add to his Henry and other dyson, Vacuum obsessed.

I’ve got the same problem this year. I’ve bought an air craft carrier from Smyths for £14.99. The box is massive so it will look good. In previous years I’ve bought a Hot Wheels track.

Work bench www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/great-value-offers/bosch-super-workstation/p/8053082
Castle www.cardboardtoys.com/acatalog/cardboard-fortress-playhouse.html
Football table
Punch bag/punch stand
Bean bag chair
Space hopper

Could the kitchen and doll care centre be joint presents and them all have smallish pressie around £20 or so each? Ime those kind of large toys are used for collaborative play anyway.

This? www.elc.co.uk/vehicles/Early-Learning-Centre-Rescue-Station/p/540598?gclsrc=aw.ds&&cm_mmc=----+-+&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&gclid=CjwKCAjwldHsBRAoEiwAd0JybYADr9CbCGsRWzS_0Ikyktz9-Os-La-yG7RCt76GJ73meQ2iNArDgBoCuWcQAvD_BwE

We have the older version and my boys play with it loads. And it’s huge!

I think this is a crazy idea! Looking for a big present because it's big and not because it's something they'd really like. If you must, one of those flat pack colour in cardboard houses/spaceships come in a huge box and cost about £10?

Which doll care station did you get? My dd6 is obsessed with dolls, I've looked at the Smoby and Olivia's little world ones.

Wooden train set? Mine played with ours for years.

Our eldest got a two-wheel scooter for his fifth birthday - could you upgrade something like that?

I did think about doing them as joint presents but DD has already written her list and the doll centre is the only thing she's asked for from Father Christmas so she's very much expecting that on Christmas Day. She wants the one from smyths!

The toy kitchen DS isn't bothered about so more for the younger ones.

It's not just about the size but more just like a reasonable present idea rather then lots of smaller ones he won't be that bothered by. We've always had an idea of something he would really love but I think it's a difficult age! I have tried to suggest a 2 wheel scooter but he's not that keen on moving on from his current one. Will take a look at the toys linked above!!

I know what you mean, we have done bike or scooter as "main" present but last year DS (then aged 4) didn't need either of those and I wanted to get him something bigger in size like those. We got him a sledge. It was only about £15 from decathlon and looked really cool. Of course, it then didn't snow enough all winter to actually use it, and I've tripped over the damn thing more than once, but at least it should get used at some point over the next few winters.

Anything by imaginext- they are robust and are just fantastic. The pirate ship or batman or megazord. The little figures to match. They are so strong them second hand sets are perfect. We bought most of ours second hand like new.

Also good - the magic track glow in the dark sets. You could set them up Christmas eve night so they will look 'wow' in the morning.

Also the target goal or rebound might be a good large present (bonus- won't clutter your house)

@recklessgran my dd got this set from my mum when she was younger, along with something similar to this set, which looks great value for money. she added the additional pieces that my mum bought separately to the set and couldn't tell the difference (worked out cheaper for my mum, i think she got the first set second hand so might be worth having a look on ebay as often they are sold new/nearly new) x

I know what you mean op. What about a toy garage? Or giant cuddly toy? Toy shop?

@sleepismysuperpower1 thank you so much - Im looking at those right now - I asked for my post to be withdrawn as I was worried about derailing the OP's thread. x

What does he play with at the moment and what are his interests?

He's not into trains or cars or anything like that.

He plays a lot of imaginary games with his sisters to be honest and has started going off a lot of his toy toys.

Last Christmas he got loads of Lego but he's not that into it.

The imaginext pirate ship looks good so that could be a good idea!

He has a lot of the paw patrol toys which he did like but seems to have outgrown in the last few months.

His birthday is just after Christmas 🤦‍♀️ so will be getting more like crafts/science experiment smaller gifts then.

if he likes pretend play, you could get a tent kind of thing like this and a play fire, so he could play that he was going camping?

The imaginext set has had loads of use from mine and my partners boys (they're coming up to 6 now). The good thing about it is you can get add on sets for birthdays etc Too. We have the batcave one and a spiderman set. I'm pretty sure smyths or argos have a bumper pack for some batman sets? X

If say go for the pirate ship. It goes in the bath. You can get extra figures. It gets bashed about here and still in perfect condition. Every child who comes to visit wants it. The firing canon is a great feature too.